I was ready to listen. I needed answers. I knew that my brother's death was somehow connected to everything dad was about to say as his words echoed in my mind. "I will not lose another son because of you." He said this to Magnus in the hospital.
For twelve years I had been drowning in guilt for not being able to protect my little brother. I should've felt some relief as this meant that the things I saw had a meaning but I didn't because deep down I knew that things were only going to get worse.
"Alec. For centuries, evil souls have lived in secret but it is the Lightwood legacy to protect the human kind from the darkness that lurks in the 're a Lightwood Alec. You're a hunter." Dad took out a ring out of his pocket. It looked very old, a W carved on top. I stayed quiet, Waiting for him to continue.
"This ring has been passed down to Lightwoods since the time of the first crusades. You have to wear it at all costs. Never let it go Alec."
From his other pocket he took out a white crystal. I was mesmerised. It was beautiful. Giving out shades of emerald and sapphire, as if the colors were calling out to their own halves. As I saw the crystal I couldhear Max's voice. The night Max died he kept talking about a crystal like the world would stop without it. "Alec, I know it sounds crazy but you have to believe me. The angels speak to me brother. Please... you have to find the final crystal. Please. No one would believe me if I told them brother..."
Shivers of uneasiness ran up every inch of my body. If only I had believed Max that night, maybe...he would've still been here.
"What is it?" Jace asked, gesturing towards the crystal.
"This is one of the seven crystals. Few hunters have the ability to connect with a crystal. I was connected to this one. Each crystal is used for a different purpose. When combined together they form a key. But we're here to prevent that from happening. Other than forming the key, the crystals were made to absorb the power of the Blackwell witches. Followers of the Devil. The crystals must be kept away from each other. Since you are a Lightwood hunter Alec, you might be able to connect with one of the two crystals that are missing. You also have to learn and control the abilities that come with it."
I didn't know if I should freak out or what. This all felt like a very bad dream.
"What's the final cycle?" Jace was doing all the questioning. I just sat there, my head bent down. Trying to absorb and understand everything.
"Unlike what everyone believes. The first crusade was fought against the vampires. Humans were no match for them. That's when the seven royal families, one of each continent, with the help of Warren witches decided to set up a council and prayed to the Angels for help. Four members from each of the seven royal families were included in the council. Twenty eight members in total. Each member gave up one year of their lives for the spell provided by the angels, cast on the children of Seth by the Warren witches. That is the reason why on the twenty eighth birthday, the final cycle is completed and the hunter spell takes over. We are the children of Seth, Brother of Abel and Lightwoods and The Morgansterns."
" ? He's a part of all this?" Asked Jace. Valentine Morganstern and Robert Lightwood were known to be childhood friends, they shared an unbreakable bond. After Jace's father died, for the first ten years of his life, Valentine took care of Jace but when Valentine's daughter went missing, Robert took over the responsibility.
"He is. And his son, Sebastian. He just turned twenty eight as well. Just like you Alec."
"How does Magnus cut into any of this?" I was the one to ask this time.
"He is a vampire, Alec. A monster. You know what to do."